The new look is for a reason. I am, in effect, trying to start over.
My New Year's resolution (shouldn't we call these things revolutions) is to maintain the blog this year. I am going to post, at minimum, once weekly but will try to do this more frequently.
I still have a minor computer issue to resolve but shy of that I will be back up and running in the New Year.
Happy New Year my friends, family and random passers by!
December 30, 2010
September 13, 2010
September already
I'm not quite sure where the summer went but it must have been fun for it to have gone by so quickly! The kids did camp, swimming lessons and visits with granparents. We rented a cabin at Clear Lake as a family and has a week of awsome weather and playing in the pool. Scott and I each did a separate trip: me to Penticton for my cousin Lisa's wedding and him to Niagara Falls for a Bar Association conference. Both of us had awesome trips. At the end of August we had a family function out at our place. Awesomer!
Summer was great. The sun was warm, the pool was wet and life was good. Now we are trying to figure out our routine for the fall. No complaints- just good things to come.
Summer was great. The sun was warm, the pool was wet and life was good. Now we are trying to figure out our routine for the fall. No complaints- just good things to come.
March 25, 2010
#2 dance recital- check! Happy Birthday Scott!
The girls finished their year at dance class last night with their second dance recital this week. We are now done dance for the year. Both girls are completely wiped but did very well in their respective performances. Julie came to watch Monday's performance and we had 3 grandparents on hand for last night's show.We are all very proud of both of our tiny dancers. I have class pictures to post later today.
It is Scott's birthday today! His parents were out last night for the dance recital so they got to share the day, albeit briefly, before we left for work. His parents bought him the Cleveland 4 hybrid gold club that he liked so much in Palm Springs.
Norma also brought Scott a box of old pictures. These are fabulous! I will scan some of these and post them for general amusement.
It is Scott's birthday today! His parents were out last night for the dance recital so they got to share the day, albeit briefly, before we left for work. His parents bought him the Cleveland 4 hybrid gold club that he liked so much in Palm Springs.
Norma also brought Scott a box of old pictures. These are fabulous! I will scan some of these and post them for general amusement.
March 23, 2010
It's wonderful to be a parent...
Scott took all of the kids to the doctor this morning. They have all nasty coughs and sore throats. The doctor lines them all up and asks them, in turn, what was wrong.
Olivia- (barking cough, squeaky voice and honking while breathing): Bad cough. Sore throat.
Georgia- (whispering because of sore throat.)- Bad cough. Sore throat.
Finn- (hanging his head and looking very sad): Sore leg and not enough milk.
Um… okay.
Olivia has croup. Georgia has a cold. And Finn is a perverse little 3 year old with a cold and an odd sense of humour. All that is missing is our typical series of ear infections and a rash and we’d be ready for a normal Abel family holiday.
I thought I’d share this parenting moment with you…hope you are well. Happy week before spring break.
Olivia- (barking cough, squeaky voice and honking while breathing): Bad cough. Sore throat.
Georgia- (whispering because of sore throat.)- Bad cough. Sore throat.
Finn- (hanging his head and looking very sad): Sore leg and not enough milk.
Um… okay.
Olivia has croup. Georgia has a cold. And Finn is a perverse little 3 year old with a cold and an odd sense of humour. All that is missing is our typical series of ear infections and a rash and we’d be ready for a normal Abel family holiday.
I thought I’d share this parenting moment with you…hope you are well. Happy week before spring break.
March 10, 2010
March Madness
I kind of feel like this at work sometimes. I could just be cranky because I am working on regulations these days.
...
No, we are not missing in action. We're still here in Virden but tucked firmly into the routine of work and school and play when we get the chance. All is well.
February was insane for court work and trial for Scott. The girls are busy with school, piano, dance and Girl Guides. Finn has been busy with pre-school. And me, well, nothing new in my world. But all is good.
Everyone in our house is looking forward to the snow melting and all of us being able to spend more time outside. We have lost a lot of snow already but we still have a quite a way to go. The only snow we seem to have lost is that on top of the mud!
I have volunteered to help with the local 10K race to be held in Virden on May15th. I am excited about this and looking forward to the event. I won't likely participate in the event but I am happy to help plan it.
January 12, 2010
In which we try to get home... intact
I know it has been a while and I kind of left you all in lurch about what happened on the return trip home.
December 30th was a quiet day around the condo and the pool. Tam's friend Kathy and her daughter Emma (5) arrived to stay with Norma and Dave for a few days. The girls got on like a house on fire and stayed in the pool practically all day. We all went to ihop for breakfast much to Finn and Norma's delight. Everywhere we went over those 10 days away Finn asked for pancakes. And the little sweetheart won an even bigger spot in my heart when none of the ones found measured up to my pancakes. Scott and I started gathering and packing all that we had accumulated over the trip and all of Santa's gifts. Thank goodness I had packed another bag to bring stuff home. It was also a good thing that the Abels had their van to bring home our excess.
December 31- Time to leave. Wow the time went quickly. It was time to go home already. Hugs and kisses all around. Tam and her friends waved us goodbye and Norma and Dave took us to the airport for the last time. Between all of our coming and goings, car rentals etc Dave had been to the airport 8 times in about 10 days. The man, I am sure, now qualifies for specialty parking so something. Frequent parking miles at the least.
We all bundled up in our Manitoba most comfortable to make the trip home. I think Scott and I nearly passed out from the heat getting into the Palm Spring airport and through security. We were carrying a lot of stuff.
Finn saw take off but slept the rest of the flight and the girls played quietly and showed themselves to be very good little travellers. We were sure that we were back in Minnesota though when we got off the plane and could see our breath getting off the plane. Yep, we are getting closer to home.
Scott and I had tried to manage several plans of action on what we would do with our 5 hour layover between our flight and the train that would take us back to Minot. Ultimately, being New Years Eve, most of those plans fell through or were re-evaluated as bad plans. We needed something where the kids could roam but where we wouldn't have to deal too much with our massive load of luggage. So we got ourselves a hotel room for a couple of hours... yes, we brought the kids too.
We arrived at the train station in lots of time to check our luggage and for Finn to pee every five minutes out of boredom. Scott was grudgingly impressed how each time he managed to squeeze out a few drops of pee just to make the claim legit. Our train arrived and left on time. We got seats all together on the train this time and the kids fell asleep quickly. Scott and I each saw midnight. I am pretty sure that was our first midnight kiss for New Years in a few years. Yeah, I know, we are old and boring. Tammy reminded us frequently.
It was a really cold night. And we got back to Minot to see that it had snowed 25 inches in the time we had been away. No joke. That is a LOT of snow! and FYI it does not take long to get used to warm weather when you have it. I know, few of you have any sympathy but it was bugger cold!
to be continued...
December 30th was a quiet day around the condo and the pool. Tam's friend Kathy and her daughter Emma (5) arrived to stay with Norma and Dave for a few days. The girls got on like a house on fire and stayed in the pool practically all day. We all went to ihop for breakfast much to Finn and Norma's delight. Everywhere we went over those 10 days away Finn asked for pancakes. And the little sweetheart won an even bigger spot in my heart when none of the ones found measured up to my pancakes. Scott and I started gathering and packing all that we had accumulated over the trip and all of Santa's gifts. Thank goodness I had packed another bag to bring stuff home. It was also a good thing that the Abels had their van to bring home our excess.
December 31- Time to leave. Wow the time went quickly. It was time to go home already. Hugs and kisses all around. Tam and her friends waved us goodbye and Norma and Dave took us to the airport for the last time. Between all of our coming and goings, car rentals etc Dave had been to the airport 8 times in about 10 days. The man, I am sure, now qualifies for specialty parking so something. Frequent parking miles at the least.
We all bundled up in our Manitoba most comfortable to make the trip home. I think Scott and I nearly passed out from the heat getting into the Palm Spring airport and through security. We were carrying a lot of stuff.
Finn saw take off but slept the rest of the flight and the girls played quietly and showed themselves to be very good little travellers. We were sure that we were back in Minnesota though when we got off the plane and could see our breath getting off the plane. Yep, we are getting closer to home.
Scott and I had tried to manage several plans of action on what we would do with our 5 hour layover between our flight and the train that would take us back to Minot. Ultimately, being New Years Eve, most of those plans fell through or were re-evaluated as bad plans. We needed something where the kids could roam but where we wouldn't have to deal too much with our massive load of luggage. So we got ourselves a hotel room for a couple of hours... yes, we brought the kids too.
We arrived at the train station in lots of time to check our luggage and for Finn to pee every five minutes out of boredom. Scott was grudgingly impressed how each time he managed to squeeze out a few drops of pee just to make the claim legit. Our train arrived and left on time. We got seats all together on the train this time and the kids fell asleep quickly. Scott and I each saw midnight. I am pretty sure that was our first midnight kiss for New Years in a few years. Yeah, I know, we are old and boring. Tammy reminded us frequently.
It was a really cold night. And we got back to Minot to see that it had snowed 25 inches in the time we had been away. No joke. That is a LOT of snow! and FYI it does not take long to get used to warm weather when you have it. I know, few of you have any sympathy but it was bugger cold!
to be continued...
December 30, 2009
December 29- in which we are lazy by the pool and Jen gets to eat Mexican
It was a gorgeous day yesterday. It was warm and sunny and a perfect day to just sit by the pool and soak up the sun.
So that is what we did. The kids played. Scott and I lounged. Norma and Dave bought me a birthday cake so we all enjoyed some sugary goodness at the side of the pool.
At about 3pm Scott, Tam and I went shopping for a short while. Norma offered for Scott and I to have an evening to ourselves to celebrate my birthday so went drove out to The Cheesecake Factory but found that it was too busy. So we got some cheesecake to go and headed out for some Mexican!
You know you have a good place in the world when you have a cold margarita in hand, hot salsa and a piece of cheesecake.
One more full day and then we start our trip home. So far the plan is to go to ihop for breakfast and sit by the pool if it warm.
So that is what we did. The kids played. Scott and I lounged. Norma and Dave bought me a birthday cake so we all enjoyed some sugary goodness at the side of the pool.
At about 3pm Scott, Tam and I went shopping for a short while. Norma offered for Scott and I to have an evening to ourselves to celebrate my birthday so went drove out to The Cheesecake Factory but found that it was too busy. So we got some cheesecake to go and headed out for some Mexican!
You know you have a good place in the world when you have a cold margarita in hand, hot salsa and a piece of cheesecake.
One more full day and then we start our trip home. So far the plan is to go to ihop for breakfast and sit by the pool if it warm.
December 28- in which we visit the ocean, Sears and the zoo
Today's plan was to drive to San Diego. We had a planned stop at La Jolla to see the ocean and pick some shells and then we were going to the San Diego Zoo for the day.
Well, we did all of those things but we had a bit of a side trip.
La Jolla is a beautiful seaside town just outside of San Diego and right on the ocean. We watched surfers, chased seagulls and collected seashells. When it was time to leave we discovered that Dave's back tire was flat.
Dave called CAA and the kids were off to play on a play structure while we waited. The spare tire was stuck under the van so a quick tow to the nearest tire service station was required. This brought us to Sears and a short stop over at a mall for lunch while we waited.
The tire was fixed and then we were off to the zoo. It was the Diego Zoo as far as Finn was concerned. We saw snakes, birds, a tiger, two hippos, many warthogs, 5 elephants, gazelles, a few giraffes and various other animals. It is a really cool zoo and a place that you could spend many days discovering instead of just a few hours. It was dark through most of our tour so I didn't get many pictures but it is a very neat place.
Again, it was a very quiet ride home as it was our second very busy day in three days. We enjoyed the freeways and the ease of transportation in getting from one place to another.
And, oh yeah, it was my birthday today too. I had a good day.
Well, we did all of those things but we had a bit of a side trip.
La Jolla is a beautiful seaside town just outside of San Diego and right on the ocean. We watched surfers, chased seagulls and collected seashells. When it was time to leave we discovered that Dave's back tire was flat.
Dave called CAA and the kids were off to play on a play structure while we waited. The spare tire was stuck under the van so a quick tow to the nearest tire service station was required. This brought us to Sears and a short stop over at a mall for lunch while we waited.
The tire was fixed and then we were off to the zoo. It was the Diego Zoo as far as Finn was concerned. We saw snakes, birds, a tiger, two hippos, many warthogs, 5 elephants, gazelles, a few giraffes and various other animals. It is a really cool zoo and a place that you could spend many days discovering instead of just a few hours. It was dark through most of our tour so I didn't get many pictures but it is a very neat place.
Again, it was a very quiet ride home as it was our second very busy day in three days. We enjoyed the freeways and the ease of transportation in getting from one place to another.
And, oh yeah, it was my birthday today too. I had a good day.
December 27- In which Jen visits the happiest place on earth
I have four words for you: Cabazon Premium Outlet Mall! I was wrong. Disney is not the happiest place of earth.
Although several hundred other people had the same idea as we did coming shopping. Norma, Tammy and I took the 20 minute drive out to Cabazon. We shopped in retail bliss for about 4 hours and then headed home with our treasures.
I had been satisfied with our shopping excursion until Dave asked if I would go back with him and did Scott want to come too?! Hmmm, let me think... Yes Please! So I got to go back!
The kids had a quiet day at home. It was too cool to go to the pool so they had a quiet day of playing with their toys and watching SpongeBob Squarepants.
Although several hundred other people had the same idea as we did coming shopping. Norma, Tammy and I took the 20 minute drive out to Cabazon. We shopped in retail bliss for about 4 hours and then headed home with our treasures.
I had been satisfied with our shopping excursion until Dave asked if I would go back with him and did Scott want to come too?! Hmmm, let me think... Yes Please! So I got to go back!
The kids had a quiet day at home. It was too cool to go to the pool so they had a quiet day of playing with their toys and watching SpongeBob Squarepants.
December 27, 2009
December 26- In which we visit Disneyland
Today is the day! Dave and Tammy set the route and Scott and I rented our own vehicle (a Nissan Rouge) and we just followed along.
The kids, specifically the girls, were so excited about the whole thing. Before we'd been in Anaheim 30 minutes we had spent $500 (entrance fees, parking, stroller rental, breakfast). Yep, we're certainly in Disneyland!
A walk down Main Street USA was near to over whelming and we were just inside the gates. First priority was breakfast... and that started us on the same path that we would follow for the rest of the day- standing in line for everything.
After breakfast Tam, Dave and Norma went off to do a few adult rides- Indiana Jones and Haunted Mansion (done in the style of the Nightmare before Christmas.) Scott, the kids and I went to Princess Fantasy Land. We started on Snow White's Scary Castle, the Carousel and the tea cups. Yes, Mr-I-get-sick-on-spinny-rides sat out the tea cups! He said that he needed to guard the stroller. Hehehe. No one was fooled. The joke was on me... I understand why these rides last no longer than 2 minutes. I came off only being able to walk left.
We met up with the rest of the Abels and went on It's a Small World. That was a really good ride and well worth the long wait in line. I had totally underestimated the appeal of that attraction and was really glad that we did it as a family. The kids were mesmerized by the many moving parts and the songs. The kids just sat in quiet amazement through the entire ride.
We went to Mickey's Toontown for lunch. We saw the two Rosebowl teams coming through on their way to being interviewed somewhere on site. (The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon State Ducks.) Tam took the kids and waited to see Mickey and I went and stood in line for the girls to see the Princesses. I waited for over an hour so that the girls (and Tammy) could meet Ariel, Belle and Jasmine with Aladdin. We got pictures and autographs. Tammy was almost as excited as Georgia. What was really astounding was how these were the three Princesses that the girls like the most so it was great fortune that we saw them.
Before we got into the lines to see characters the kids all got their faces painted. I promise I'll insert pictures of this because it was too cute for words!
We caught the tail end of the main Christmas parade that comes through the entire park but we didn't have good seats so only the kids on our shoulders could see. We then separated for an hour. Dave, Norma and Tammy went shopping. Scott, the kids and I visited Frontiertown and caught Disney's newest princess show "Tiana's showboat jubilee." (The Princess and the Frog.) We had great seats for this one and had a great view.
We got great seats for the final parade of the day. The girls were very excited to see the princesses again, this time up close. After the parade we left the park- after 11 hours of Disney goodness.
Disney bills itself as the happiest place on earth- I don't know about that but I certainly know that they know how to put on a show! The ride home was very quiet as all of the kids slept. Americans may get a few things backwards but there is nothing wrong with their freeway system.
The kids, specifically the girls, were so excited about the whole thing. Before we'd been in Anaheim 30 minutes we had spent $500 (entrance fees, parking, stroller rental, breakfast). Yep, we're certainly in Disneyland!
A walk down Main Street USA was near to over whelming and we were just inside the gates. First priority was breakfast... and that started us on the same path that we would follow for the rest of the day- standing in line for everything.
After breakfast Tam, Dave and Norma went off to do a few adult rides- Indiana Jones and Haunted Mansion (done in the style of the Nightmare before Christmas.) Scott, the kids and I went to Princess Fantasy Land. We started on Snow White's Scary Castle, the Carousel and the tea cups. Yes, Mr-I-get-sick-on-spinny-rides sat out the tea cups! He said that he needed to guard the stroller. Hehehe. No one was fooled. The joke was on me... I understand why these rides last no longer than 2 minutes. I came off only being able to walk left.
We met up with the rest of the Abels and went on It's a Small World. That was a really good ride and well worth the long wait in line. I had totally underestimated the appeal of that attraction and was really glad that we did it as a family. The kids were mesmerized by the many moving parts and the songs. The kids just sat in quiet amazement through the entire ride.
We went to Mickey's Toontown for lunch. We saw the two Rosebowl teams coming through on their way to being interviewed somewhere on site. (The Ohio State Buckeyes and the Oregon State Ducks.) Tam took the kids and waited to see Mickey and I went and stood in line for the girls to see the Princesses. I waited for over an hour so that the girls (and Tammy) could meet Ariel, Belle and Jasmine with Aladdin. We got pictures and autographs. Tammy was almost as excited as Georgia. What was really astounding was how these were the three Princesses that the girls like the most so it was great fortune that we saw them.
Before we got into the lines to see characters the kids all got their faces painted. I promise I'll insert pictures of this because it was too cute for words!
We caught the tail end of the main Christmas parade that comes through the entire park but we didn't have good seats so only the kids on our shoulders could see. We then separated for an hour. Dave, Norma and Tammy went shopping. Scott, the kids and I visited Frontiertown and caught Disney's newest princess show "Tiana's showboat jubilee." (The Princess and the Frog.) We had great seats for this one and had a great view.
We got great seats for the final parade of the day. The girls were very excited to see the princesses again, this time up close. After the parade we left the park- after 11 hours of Disney goodness.
Disney bills itself as the happiest place on earth- I don't know about that but I certainly know that they know how to put on a show! The ride home was very quiet as all of the kids slept. Americans may get a few things backwards but there is nothing wrong with their freeway system.
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